Jakarta –
Scientists describe that the universe began in very dark conditions and then the first light appeared. So where does the light come from?
A new study published in Nature in February 2024 succeeded in revealing the origin of the first light in outer space. According to a study entitled “Most of the Photons That Reionized The Universe Came From Dwarf Galaxies” by Hakim Atek and friends, it is known that dwarf galaxies play an important role in the formation of light.
“The origin of photons or light particles that first spread freely in outer space came from small galaxies known as “dwarf galaxies,” said astrophysicist and researcher from the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, Iryna Chemerynska, as quoted from Science Alert.
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According to Chemerynska, this dwarf galaxy plays a role in releasing light that helps clear the hydrogen fog that filled space at the beginning of the universe’s formation. This hydrogen mist is impermeable to light at first.
“Dwarf galaxies produce ionizing photons that convert neutral hydrogen into ionized plasma during the cosmic reionization process,” explained Chemerynska.
“This discovery reveals the important role that ultra-faint galaxies played in the evolution of the early universe,” he added.
The Process of Formation of First Light in the Universe
Chemerynska explained that after the Big Bang event that formed the universe, space was filled with hot and dense plasma mist. The large number of ionized particles in the form of free electrons and protons in space means that light cannot penetrate the fog.
About 300,000 years later, when the universe began to cool, protons and electrons in space began to combine and form neutral hydrogen gas and a small amount of helium. From this hydrogen and helium gas, the first stars in dwarf galaxies were formed.
These first stars then emit radiation that helps ionize hydrogen gas, and clears the fog so that light can emerge and spread through the universe.
“About 1 billion years after the Big Bang, the end of the period known as the cosmic dawn, the Universe completely reionized. Ta-da! The lights came on,” explained Chemerynska.
How do scientists study light in the universe?
In their study, the researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe space. Through this telescope, they discovered that dwarf galaxies were one of the keys to reionization which then caused light to appear.
“Despite their very small size, these galaxies are prolific emitters of energetic radiation, and their abundance during this period is so great that their collective influence could change the entire state of the Universe,” said Hakim Atek, astrophysicist and fellow researcher from the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris. .
“These cosmic powerhouses collectively emit more than enough energy to get the job done,” he continued.
Researchers hope their new study can provide new knowledge regarding the history of early evolution in the universe.
“We have now entered uncharted territory with JWST,” said astrophysicist Themiya Nanayakkara of Swinburne University of Technology in Australia.
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The Cosmic Revelation: First Light from Dwarf Galaxies
Jakarta – So, the universe went dark, and then—like a bad karaoke night—suddenly there was light! But where did that light come from? Well, according to a new study featured in Nature (not to be confused with the one your mate claims to have read for his philosophy exam), scientists have pinpointed the source of this primordial radiance: good old dwarf galaxies. Yes, those pint-sized celestial bodies are packing a punch of light energy that helped clear the space fog we didn’t even know was there!
Time for a Cosmic History Lesson
The astrophysicists—those heady souls in lab coats who seem to love telescopes more than humans—discovered that the first photons, or light particles, hailed from dwarf galaxies. Iryna Chemerynska from the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris stated, “As it turns out, our miniature galactic friends were quite busy releasing light.” Who knew being small could have such a big impact?
So, what did these dwarf galaxies do, exactly? They shed some ionizing photons, which go around like energetic baristas caffeinating neutral hydrogen gas, transforming it into ionized plasma during something called cosmic reionization. Kind of like a cosmic spa day for gas particles, if you will.
Now, if you’re scratching your head thinking, “What does cosmic reionization mean?” it’s simply the event marking how the universe transitioned from a light-averse fog to a glowing, star-studded vista. You could say it was the universe’s way of getting its act together after a rather embarrassing blackout.
How the Universe Brightened Up
Let’s rewind a bit. After the Big Bang—an explosion so epic it makes New Year’s Eve fireworks pale in comparison—our space was filled with hot, dense plasma mist. A few hundred thousand years later, as the universe started to cool, protons and electrons combined to form neutral hydrogen gas. And here’s where the dwarf stars come into play! They emerged from this hydrogen and helium gas, igniting the cosmic stage.
These first stars, like a cosmic electrical grid, began emitting radiation that helped clear the hydrogen fog, permitting light to escape into the universe. “Ta-da! The lights came on!” exclaimed Chemerynska, probably while doing a small dance. Can you blame her? It must feel monumental to finally crack the riddle of the celestial dark ages!
The Role of Technology
But how did these scientists unearth this galactic nugget of information? Enter the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a device so sophisticated, it makes your smartphone look like a vintage rotary phone. With JWST’s keen eyes, researchers observed that these diminutive galaxies played an outsized role in helping light penetrate the cold, dense hydrogen clouds.
Hakim Atek, another bright star in the astrophysics world, said that despite their size, dwarf galaxies are like cosmic powerhouses—“prolific emitters of energetic radiation.” These tiny titans emitted enough energy that they could single-handedly change the universe’s mood from gloomy to glittering.
A New Dawn in Cosmic Understanding
So, what’s next? Researchers are hoping to explore these cosmic wonders further, as we’ve just scratched the surface of understanding the universe’s early evolution. “We have now entered uncharted territory with JWST,” says Themiya Nanayakkara of Swinburne University, who’s probably rubbing his hands together like a cartoon villain thinking about all the discoveries yet to come.
In short, those dwarf galaxies were not just sitting around; they were the universe’s first lighting technicians! And now we know, thanks to some rather clever astrophysicists who took a good look at the night sky. So, the next time you’re feeling small or insignificant, just remember: even the teeny tiny stars can light up the universe!
Wasn’t that enlightening? Stay tuned for more cosmic news!
**Interview with Iryna Chemerynska: Unveiling the Universe’s First Light**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Chemerynska! It’s great to have you with us to discuss this exciting new study on the origins of the universe’s first light. Your research has uncovered the pivotal role of dwarf galaxies. Can you summarize why they’re so significant in this cosmic narrative?
**Iryna Chemerynska:** Thank you for having me! Dwarf galaxies, despite their small size, emitted a vast amount of ionizing photons during the cosmic reionization process. These photons were instrumental in transforming neutral hydrogen gas into ionized plasma, effectively clearing the fog of hydrogen that once obscured light in the young universe. Our study highlights how these humble galaxies were ‘heavyweights’ in igniting the first light.
**Editor:** It sounds like the cosmic environment was quite inhospitable at first. Could you elaborate on the conditions that existed right after the Big Bang and how dwarf galaxies changed that?
**Iryna Chemerynska:** Absolutely! In the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang, about 300,000 years later, the universe was dense with hot plasma, filled with free electrons and protons. In these early stages, light couldn’t penetrate this fog. However, as the universe cooled and neutral hydrogen began to form, these dwarf galaxies emerged. They produced the first stars, which radiated energy that helped ionize the surrounding hydrogen, allowing light to finally escape and illuminate the cosmos.
**Editor:** That’s fascinating! So, what was the method used to study these distant dwarf galaxies and their light emissions?
**Iryna Chemerynska:** We utilized the James Webb Space Telescope, which provides unprecedented clarity and sensitivity for observing distant celestial bodies. It allowed us to pinpoint the very dim light emissions from these dwarf galaxies and understand their collective influence during the period known as the cosmic dawn.
**Editor:** With this new understanding, what implications does it have for our comprehension of the universe’s evolution?
**Iryna Chemerynska:** Our findings mark a significant step in unveiling the history of the early universe. They suggest that these ultra-faint dwarf galaxies will be crucial in future studies aimed at unraveling the galaxy formation and evolution processes. We’ve really just begun to explore this vast territory, and there’s so much more we can learn.
**Editor:** Amazing insights, Dr. Chemerynska! To wrap up, what excites you the most about the future of astrophysical research following this discovery?
**Iryna Chemerynska:** The potential for new discoveries is thrilling! As we delve deeper into the data and explore more distant epochs of the universe, we may uncover more secrets of galactic formation and the fundamental processes that shaped the cosmos. It feels like we’re setting out on an incredible journey of cosmic exploration.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Chemerynska, for shedding light on such a captivating topic. We look forward to seeing where your research leads us in understanding our universe!
